Chapter 429: Foundation (4K)

At this moment inside the private chamber, Zhang Jian waited briefly, then saw Qingping Dragon Sovereign personally leading two richly dressed Dragon Clan elders forward.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, these are the three items you purchased in this auction; you may inspect them yourself!"

Zhang Jian glanced over and gave a slight nod.

After examining each of the three trays, he nodded and then took out a Qiankun cloth bag to hand to Qingping Dragon Sovereign.

Inside were a total of thirty-six million one hundred thousand top-grade spirit crystals.

Together they amounted to a small mountain of spirit crystals.

Qingping Dragon Sovereign took it casually and immediately handed it to a nearby elder wearing purple-gold robes.

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered, and he then spoke again.

"Xuan Dao brother, I wish to cultivate for a time in the Dragon Palace; I wonder if the Dragon Palace could offer rented quiet chambers?"

Qingping Dragon Sovereign's face showed a hint of a smile, and he laughed heartily.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang is an honored guest of the Dragon Palace; no rental is needed! There are many cultivation chambers in the Dragon Palace—Fellow Daoist Zhang may simply go to the cultivation area and take one as he pleases!"

He merely thought Zhang Jian had also noticed the unfavorable winds outside and wished to take refuge in the Dragon Palace.

As for this, the Qingping Dragon Palace naturally welcomed it.

Zhang Jian nodded.

He borrowed the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace not to avoid disaster, but merely to master two second-rank immortal arts.

Give him some time to master these two second-rank immortal arts, and his own cultivation and techniques will naturally advance further.

And just then, Qingping Dragon Sovereign's expression suddenly changed; Zhang Jian also raised his head, feeling that the space of the Qingping Divine Bureau had faintly fluctuated.

After greeting Zhang Jian, he quickly departed.

……

Meanwhile, outside the Qingping Dragon Palace, most high-level cultivators had gradually departed, but a few remained hidden in the shadows, preparing to watch the spectacle; at this moment they also sensed a vast and unusual phenomenon emerging in the depths of the wide sea.

Then they saw that in the deep sea of Qingping, strands of black energy suddenly shot up to the clouds, sweeping in from afar.

This black energy darkened heaven and earth, carrying a power that devoured the vitality of all things.

"Demonic energy!"

In the depths of the void, two figures gazed at this scene from afar, their faces unusually solemn.

They were Wu Liang True Sovereign and Qing Yun True Sovereign.

"Such intense demonic energy—could there be a fully opened outer-realm demon gate in the depths of Qingping Sea?"

Gazing at this, Wu Liang True Sovereign's expression changed.

Beside him, Qing Yun True Sovereign's willow brows were tightly furrowed.

Both had frequently dealt with outer-realm demon gods.

Before the outer-realm demon gate was fully opened, these demon gods could only release part of their power to strengthen the strength of demonic cultivators in this era, secretly offering sacrifices, daring not to expand the scale.

But demonic energy like this, even permeating seawater and shooting straight to the clouds,

likely indicates that an outer-realm demon gate has been completely stabilized.

Wu Liang True Sovereign thought for a moment, then said to Qing Yun True Sovereign beside him.

"Qing Yun Junior Sister, you first take the two divine artifacts back to the sect; I, as elder brother, will remain here to handle this!"

After thinking, he glanced around, his expression solemn.

"Also, you must be careful—you carry two great treasures; fearfully, some heretical paths may take risks!"

Qing Yun True Sovereign, hearing this, smiled wryly.

"If that is the case, I would actually welcome it—I have not drawn those few treasures in a long time; I urgently need to consecrate them with the blood of these heretical demons!"

After a slight pause, Qing Yun True Sovereign's eyes flickered as she asked.

"Wu Liang Senior Brother, you said the cultivator who took away the Three Radiance Divine Water—is he actually Zhang Junior Nephew?"

Wu Liang True Sovereign's gaze slightly narrowed.

Recently, inside and outside the Dragon Palace, there has been much discussion about this matter.

A piece of gossip emerged: the mysterious guest in Room Jia Number Nine was none other than the Lord of Dongzhou, the Great Xia Emperor.

Regarding this rumor, the two of them had also expended effort to verify it.

This matter involves many Dragon Palace servants; a thorough investigation would actually not be difficult to reach a rough conclusion.

Now much evidence points to this Lord of Dongzhou, the Great Xia Emperor.

But Zhang Jian has not yet contacted them or sought protection from the strong ones of the Tongshan Dao Lineage, which makes them somewhat suspicious.

"Eight or nine out of ten, though Zhang Shi may have some other means to repel the enemy—let us just watch for now!"

HUMMM!!!

At this moment, however, a vast divine power surge suddenly arose from the depths of the seabed.

It was a golden-blue divine power.

Wu Liang True Sovereign and Qing Yun True Sovereign exchanged glances; they knew this was the power of the Qingping Sea Divine Bureau.

The edges of the golden-blue divine power intertwined, as if a vast purifying divine light were born within, carrying a power to purify all things, facing the ocean-like demonic energy, instantly dispersing great masses of black clouds.

Seeing this, Qing Yun True Sovereign's form turned into a streak of spiritual light, piercing the void and silently vanishing.

ROAR ROAR ROAR!!!

And almost simultaneously, a heaven-shaking dragon's roar came from the depths of the sea region; they saw the ocean churning in the deep waters, within which streaks of escaping light shone as if piercing straight to the clouds.

The strong ones of the Qingping Dragon Palace finally reacted at this moment.

……

Deep within the Qingping Dragon Palace, Zhang Jian also sensed the abnormal divine power fluctuations around Qingping Sea; the divine light in his brow glowed faintly, and by relying on the authority of the State and Ancestors Emperor, he could faintly sense changes in the outside world.

However, the existence of the Qingping Sea Divine Bureau interfered with his control over the earth.

He immediately withdrew his thoughts.

This is the main base of the Qingping Dragon Palace, where countless powerful dragons reside; he believes the dragons of Qingping Dragon Palace are fully capable of handling this matter.

He also sensed that beyond the void of Qingping Sea, many powerful beings still linger, these fellows continuing to keep watch.

Zhang Jian, on the other hand, has ample patience.

In the quiet chamber, Zhang Jian's gaze now fell upon the three treasures before him.

He first collected the Three Radiance Divine Water, his gaze falling upon the second-rank divine technique flowing with countless divine dao lights.

A hint of a smile appeared in his eyes; cultivating a second-rank divine technique would likely require other second-rank deities to undergo thousands of years of arduous practice.

But he bears the mandate of the State and Ancestry Emperor, which means he has already overcome the greatest difficulty.

With the initial formation of the State and Ancestry Emperor's mandate, this is equivalent to the celestial immortal realm; cultivating a second-rank divine technique becomes much easier for him.

Raising his hand, he placed the jade slip containing the second-rank divine technique deep between his brows; moments later, a divine light slowly merged into Zhang Jian's primordial spirit.

The divine light flowed and merged, directly manifesting a technique structure formed by the condensation of countless innate divine patterns.

This special technique structure made Zhang Jian faintly feel his connection with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth greatly enhanced, as if he had merged into the Great Dao itself, becoming part of the vast heavenly dao laws.

"Indeed, it is wondrous beyond compare!"

Zhang Jian slightly sensed, his eyes flashing with a hint of joy.

This is somewhat similar to his "Supreme Forgetting Emotion Method."

However, their directions differ.

One is to discard distracting thoughts to merge with the Heavenly Dao, thereby better comprehending its changes.

The other is to strengthen the connection between oneself and the Heavenly Dao.

The two complement each other.

Zhang Jian immediately began to outline this divine dao technique structure using his powerful primordial spirit power.

Its essence is actually a second-rank primordial spirit immortal method.

However, for now, he needs to first read and analyze this technique structure diagram.

Those countless innate divine patterns, if analyzed in his way, are essentially countless heaven-earth runes condensed together.

Once understood and successfully constructed using his own primordial spirit origin, he can naturally perform it, and even elevate it in the future.

Zhang Jian's analytical speed is remarkably fast.

Zhang Jian feels that given half a month, mastering this second-rank divine technique will pose no problem.

……

Deep within the Dragon Palace, at this moment the Qingping Dragon Monarch sits upon the Dragon Monarch's throne, his face somewhat weary.

Having continuously used field-control-type divine dao techniques for over ten days, employing the Demon-Subduing Divine Curse to slay the demonized aquatic creatures, sea divine beasts, and purify the water quality, even he, the Qingping Dragon Monarch, feels overwhelmed.

If this continues, the power of the Qingping Sea Divine Bureau will keep shrinking, being gradually devoured by that terrifying demonic aura.

At this moment, he surveys the many dragon elders with solemn expressions.

He said in a deep voice: "Elders, to capture the bandits, first capture their leader; these alien demonic creatures keep surging endlessly from that vortex demon gate; rather than remain passive, we should take the initiative—if we can capture and slay that extraterritorial demon god, this calamity will naturally be resolved!"

Upon hearing this, the many dragon elders in the hall exchanged glances.

It is not that they are timid, but that this extraterritorial demon god is indeed not easy to provoke.

During this time, they have not failed to organize the Dragon Palace's powerhouses for decapitation strikes, but the results were not satisfactory.

Several Dragon Monarch True Lords had not even entered the core region of that demon realm before being swept away by demonic light.

At this moment, the myriad soul lamps left in the depths of the Dragon Palace have already gone out, signifying that their souls have flown and scattered.

Several Primordial Spirit True Lords!

These are not just ordinary cats and dogs.

Each one requires the Dragon Clan's accumulation of thousands of years; they are the foundation of Qingping Dragon Palace.

Beside him, the Dragon Mother, seeing that many elders remained silent, then spoke.

"Your Majesty, if you have any ideas, please share them with the elders!"

The Qingping Dragon Monarch's gaze swept over the many elders; at this moment, his face calm, he said.

"That extraterritorial demon god is like a malignant tumor—the longer it persists, the harder it becomes to deal with; they may even summon allies, ultimately forming a demonic calamity. The scene of such a calamity's arrival, many of you elders should have experienced; you would not wish to see such a scene unfold upon Qingping Sea!"

His voice was soft and distant, yet when it fell upon the ears of the many elders, it felt like a cold wind, chilling body, mind, and courage.

This realm has experienced over ten demonic calamities, but each time, for heaven and earth, it has been a tremendous disaster, countless beings reduced to flesh and blood nourishment for demon heads.

Even cultivators, and those like them who have proven their Primordial Spirit existence, are merely slightly larger ants in the vastness of heaven and earth.

Even True Immortals can only grit their teeth and charge forward.

Many elders could no longer sit still.

Among them, one tall figure, clad in a purple-gold long robe, a dragon deity sighed lightly.

"Your Majesty, having spoken, what do you intend to do?"

Upon the throne, the Qingping Dragon Monarch's face solemn, he said in a deep voice.

I have decided to invite the Fifth Ancestor to emerge from seclusion, and also to summon the Sea King Liezu to appear and assist, all with the priority of eliminating demons and upholding the Dao!

Upon hearing this, the faces of many dragon elders present changed color.

Invoking the Fifth Ancestor's action, they had anticipated this to some extent, but summoning the Sea King's secret treasure came as somewhat unexpected to them.

The Sea King's secret treasure is indeed the foundation of Qingping Dragon Palace.

Each time it is used, it signifies that the Qingping Dragon Clan faces a crisis bordering on extermination.

Beside him, standing in the lower seat, a black-robed dragon elder raised his head, furrowed his brow, and said:

Invoking the Sea King Liezu to appear—would this not be an overreaction?

He, one of the elders of Qingping Dragon Palace, of noble status, is none other than one of the Dragon True Immortals stationed to guard Qingping Dragon Palace.

Qingping Dragon King's eyes twitched slightly, and he waved his hand.

"No exaggeration—even a lion fighting a rabbit needs to exert full effort. I sense that this crisis in Qingping Sea is no ordinary matter. Everyone, make your preparations. Afterwards, we will all go together to the secluded retreat of the Five Ancestors and jointly invite them to emerge."

At this moment, Qingping Dragon King's gaze swept over the assembled dragon clan elders; he had clearly made up his mind.

Seeing this, the many dragon clan elders could only choose to support him.

……

Outside Qingping Sea, on another spirit island.

At this time, ruins lay everywhere. The former prosperity and bustle had vanished; bloodstains covered the ground, along with traces of severed limbs.

As if a hurricane had passed through, not a blade of grass grew.

Inside an ancient and simple temple, a towering deity with a solemn visage stood, now lowering his head.

Before him stood another deity, surrounded by countless strands of intense incense divine power, his divine might like jade—immense and powerful.

"Heavenly Sovereign, we have received word that the Dragon Palace is preparing to mobilize its hidden foundations. Should we also prepare to act?"

Upon hearing this, the towering divine shadow gave a faint smile.

"Since the moment has arrived, we too are making preparations!"

The third-rank deity's eyes brightened, but after a moment he hesitated slightly.

"Heavenly Sovereign, although the extradimensional demon has drawn away most of Qingping Dragon Palace's elite, the palace likely still has guardians left behind. Once we charge into the sea eye, we will surely alert them!"

The Heavenly Sovereign of the Pure Void remained calm and serene, speaking lightly.

"The guardians left within Qingping Dragon Palace pose no problem—someone will naturally strike them down. We need only enter the sea eye and retrieve what lies deep within."

……

At this moment, outside Qingping Sea, within a special subspace, dozens of figures gathered, led by a youth cultivator whose bearing was immense and majestic.

He was Ji Ke.

A supremely powerful true immortal of the Ji Clan stood behind him, along with numerous followers and several Ji Clan primordial spirit true sovereigns.

"Ancestor, should we lend aid to Qingping Dragon Palace?"

A Ji Clan true sovereign gazed toward the distant sea—it had been less than ten days.

In the depths of the far sea, vast demonic clouds shrouded the horizon, the demon realm's expansion exceeding four or fivefold.

Such a rate of expansion—even this Ji Clan cultivator felt his heart tremble with shock.

Ji Ke's eyes held a faint cold smile.

"I feel that the emergence of this extradimensional demon god is precisely the right moment. Perhaps we need not wait here like a hunter guarding a tree for a rabbit; before long, we could directly enter Qingping Dragon Palace and seize that brat!"

Upon hearing this, the many Ji Clan cultivators exchanged glances, naturally regarding this Ji Clan true immortal as their leader.

Two hours later, Ji Ke suddenly opened his eyes—only to see, from the depths of the seabed, a fierce divine light shoot forth like an arrow. In its wake followed hundreds, even thousands of towering divine lights, nearly pouring out in full force, sweeping toward the distant sea.

The seawater below boiled, and demonic vapors surged skyward as countless Dragon Palace divine generals manifested, likewise following the divine light ahead, charging furiously toward the far sea.

Feeling the terrifying aura lurking within those streams of light, each Ji Clan cultivator's visage shifted in alarm.

Ji Ke watched this scene; after his initial surprise, a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Our opportunity has come!"

A thread of intense killing intent flickered in the depths of his eyes.